Monument to Dean Close (1797-1882), by Henry Hugh Armstead (1828-1905). 1885. Marble effigy in a carved Gothic wooden canopy. The monument is inscribed, "Francis Close, D.D., 25 years Dean of this cathedral, died 1882, aged 85. Erected by public subscription as a mark of affection and esteem." The canopy was given by his son, Admiral Close (see Eley 69). The monument is in Carlisle Cathedral.

As perpetual curate of Cheltenham parish church, Dean Close had "developed the spa town into a leading evangelical centre" (Munden). He is still very much remembered for his educational initiatives there, particularly for establishing the Cheltenham Training College in 1847. This was the beginning of what is now the University of Gloucestershire: the foundation stone of its Francis Close Hall campus was laid in 1849 (see "University of Gloucestershire"). A tall man with a commanding presence, the Rev. Close was evidently a forceful figure there. Joseph Leech, "one who has no disposition to be either the enemy or adulator of tbe Vicar of Cheltenham," describes him as he was at that time:

The Rev. Francis Close is certainly no common place
man. The supremacy he has asserted and acquired over
his parishioners is in itself a proof of his ability; for
he must know man, and woman, very well — he must
have a considerable natural turn for command — to
obtain the social empire of the place as he has done:
for, mark you, there must be a forward intrepidity about
his nature to enable him to "hold his own," or rather
more than his own, so far as clerical influence goes, and
in such a large place, so long.... though,
perhaps, he has not always the best of the argument,
he has the tact and talent of getting the best of the
audience. He is a man of Herculean power in doing
work — of indomitable energy, as you must perceive —
you only note the number of things of one kind or
another which he gets through in the day: he is at the
top and bottom of everything; and the habit of command
and dictation, and driving all before him, which he has
fallen into, and of which some people complain, is, I
think, created by themselves, and their own notion
that nothing can be done without him.... He is a sort of surpliced autocrat in the place.... [258-59]

In Carlisle, Dean Close would be remembered not only for his education projects, his energy and leadership, but for his charitable work ("The poor people of Carlisle lost a good friend when he passed away") and his strictness with himself and others: "Although a very popular preacher his theological views were far from broad. He was, also, a strenuous opponent
of betting, theatre-going, indulgence in alcoholic liquors, and smoking" (Eley 69). A Sabbatarian, he even opposed Sunday trains (see Munden). Armstead has given him comfortable-looking pillows and an elegantly draped cassock, but without any frippery of angels. In matters of doctrine, Evangelicals lent entirely on the authority of the bible, and the dean holds his bible earnestly to his breast.

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